Demolition of old Fair St. school now set for near year's end

GAINESVILLE - Demolition is now set to begin in late November or early December on the old Fair Street Elementary School in Gainesville.

City schools superintendent Merrianne Dyer says state approvals and local permitting are almost complete.

"The (Gainesville) city council will vote on October 18th about approving an abandonment of a portion of Fair Street-High Street in order to move the school five feet over," Dr. Dyer said. "That is the final approval needed. The architect's plans will be completed by the end of next week, and drawings should be made available to the public then."

School officials had hoped to begin the demolition work this month.

The last classes housed in the old school vacated it at the end of the 2010-2011 school year in May.

Fair Street students are attending classes at the city's Wood's Mill Academy this year. The new Fair Street school is expected to be ready for students in January 2013 at the latest.